Fighting Your Spiritual Battles - Series 8
How does the spirit realm affect your life?
As a podcast focused on mental health, you may have been surprised when we started our series, Fighting Your Spiritual Battles. However, as Christian counselors, we felt that the “hidden battle” described in scripture was too important not to talk about because it intersects with and affects mental health, relationships, and emotions. In particular, the enemy wants to use your unique story to further harm you and destroy your relationships. You must be fully equipped in order to defend yourself from these attacks.
This series is designed to give you awareness of where the battle began, how it works, and how to find strength and hope as you fight this battle. As you listen to these episodes, we hope that you’ll grow in your perspective on spiritual warfare, your knowledge about and trust in the love and power of Jesus, and your hope in the possibility of more freedom, comfort, and rest that comes with understanding this area of the Christian life better.
The Battle Hidden in Plain Sight: Listen or Read
Our clients frequently wrestle with whether or not God really loves them. They have not considered that there is a powerful force working to pull them away from God’s love. The Bible explains that there is an unseen, spiritual battle that directly impacts your daily life. John and Austin introduce this series by unpacking what Jesus believed about this battle, how they’ve witnessed this battle personally and clinically, and two foundational truths needed to keep perspective on this battle.
Where the Battle Began: Listen or Read
Knowing your enemy starts with understanding his origins, the catastrophic decision he made, and his most effective tactics to deceive you. In this episode, Lynn and Shay will look back at the biblical account of where this battle began and the primary areas where it takes place. Once you see how this epic battle is playing out, you will be able to discern truth from error, understand how the devil serves God’s purposes, and know the means by which he will experience ultimate defeat.
The Battle for Your Mind: Listen or Read
Are you aware of the doors in your mind that the enemy will try to open? John and Shay take a look at the two moves that the enemy uses to try and cut us off from God’s love: temptation and accusation. The battle for your mind is of utmost importance, as it the primary force that drives all of your beliefs, emotions, and actions, so this is an area where knowledge and discernment are critical. When you learn effective ways to push back on the enemy’s tactics, you will be empowered to tackle this daily battle.
The Battle for Your Body: Listen or Read
Your body is the "turf" on which your spiritual battles are fought, which means you can't escape this warfare. The enemy takes your natural and unavoidable physical appetites and uses them to lure you towards one extreme or another: self-worship or self-contempt. In this episode, Lynn and Austin discuss the importance of having a biblical view of your body, and prescribe specific ways you can befriend and care for your body in a way that glorifies God.
The Battle for Your Wounded Heart: Listen or Read
This is one of the most important episodes we have ever recorded! It explains how spiritual warfare intersects with the wounds, losses, and traumas of your life. Whether you know it or not, or want to admit it or not, your heart has been wounded. In this episode, John and Lynn make the case that unless you know the narrative of your story, you may be confused, easily deceived, or helpless to resist the enemy’s tactics in your life. We’d like to help you map your story, so you can become wise and discerning as you fight your spiritual battles.
The Power to Fight Your Battles: Listen or Read + Free Prayer Download!
In Ephesians 6:10 we are told to: "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might". In this episode we want to address what you will need to stay strong as you fight your spiritual battles. Knowing how this battle ultimately ends is the first step in standing firm against your enemy. Shay and Austin explain the outcome of this battle, and specifically describe what the Bible says about the future demise of Satan.
They also share the three sources of power that will help you stay strong in this battle:
The power of prayer
The power of people
The power of the word
As we conclude this series we want to equip you with a practical resource to help you pray powerfully and effectively. Download our guide, “A Powerful Prayer”, to help you as you pray against the enemy:
And listen as Lynn reads this prayer aloud: